[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 43 (Tuesday, April 19, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   VICTIMS DESERVE RIGHT TO BE HEARD

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, this week the House will take up the crime 
bill. Included in this package is a provision which would grant the 
victim the right to speak at the sentencing. It is important to let the 
victims of brutal acts of violence know they will have an opportunity 
to confront their attackers and provide evidence which could have a 
bearing on the sentence which is handed out.
  Nationally, the high incidence of crimes committed is alarming. The 
Department of Justice reports that every year nearly 5 million people 
are victims of violent crimes. With these kinds of statistics it is 
understandable that crime is fast becoming the No. 1 concern of the 
American people.
  My hometown of Ocala has a population of approximately 43,000 people. 
It is not unlike a host of mid-sized towns across the country. 
Unfortunately, that means we have our share of crime. In fact, in 1992 
Ocala had 6,627 reported crimes. Of these, there were 6 murders, 29 
rapes, 344 robberies, and 477 aggravated assaults. These statistics are 
an outrage to the law abiding citizens who go to work every day and pay 
their taxes.
  This provision will have a positive effect because it allows the 
victims of wanton acts of violence to face their attackers and offer 
evidence which will ensure that the sentence fits the crime.

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